Townsend voters spike override for third time

Richard Sullivan casts his vote on the Proposition 2 1/2 override vote on Tuesday at Memorial Hall in Townsend. SUN/ JOHN LOVE

TOWNSEND -- Residents on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted down a Proposition 2 1/2 override that was proposed to close a $416,728 deficit in the town's budget.

The vote failed, 1,026-482.

As opposed to two previous override votes, this one was proposed by the town, rather than the school district. The override was designed to close a deficit in the town budget left by a previous failed Aug. 28 override, which was designed to supplement funds for the regional school district that Townsend shares with Pepperell and Ashby.

Because Pepperell and Ashby voted in favor of the previous override, Townsend is required to fund its portion of the supplemental budget to the district, which totals $416,728.

As a result of Tuesday's failed override, the town will vote at a Special Town Meeting on Thursday to appropriate the amount through $271,117 in departmental budget cuts, additional found revenue and through the transfer of $22,632 from free cash.

Resident Dan Arsenault was among several voters interviewed Tuesday saying he was displeased with being presented with a third override election.

"I think it's absolutely ridiculous," he said. "It's a waste of money. When someone says 'no,' 'no' should be the answer."

Additionally, he said, he found issue with reoccurring nature of the override.

"It's not a one-year give," he said. "It's forever. It's for life."

Other residents against the override said their votes came from a financial standpoint.

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Phil Monat said that in a better economy, he wouldn't hesitate to vote in favor of the override, but as it was, he couldn't justify asking residents to increase taxes.

"If this had been eight years ago, I would have been very comfortable spending the money," Monat said. But as of now, he said, "It's very important to me that people don't overstress the people that are having trouble with jobs and income."

Voters in favor of the override said they wanted to support the town departments.

"I don't want to make cuts to police and fire. I think it's important," said Toby O'Brien.

Diane Larsen said she felt voting yes would be in the best interest of the long-term well-being of the town.

"I think the town and the people need to step forward," she said. "I think they should have from the beginning, but now the money has to come from somewhere. I think that we want to create a town that is going to draw people in and is bettering itself. I think we need to do something to have that happen."

Regardless of the outcome or of personal opinion, there was one thing nearly every voter agreed with: Looking forward to the process drawing to a close.

"It will be good when this issue is settled," said Alice Struthers. "The government can back on with their business as usual."